Brian Jay Jones and the Temple of Lucas

Movie Meltdown - Episode 377 This week we are joined by our special guest co-host - author Brian Jay Jones. Brian is a New York Times bestselling biographer who's written Washington Irving: An American Original, Jim Henson: The Biography and most recently George Lucas: A Life. So join us as we discuss the process of researching his subjects as well as a good, old fashioned geek-out session where we talk about George's early days, creating Star Wars and Lucas' impact on the film world as well as the legacy he leaves behind. And as we address the finer points of having your heart ripped out, we also mention... Saturday morning cartoons, a brain in a jar, the Special Editions, Red Tails, Kirk Thatcher, Raiders of the Lost Ark, American Graffiti, Michael Eisner, Powaqqatsi, fungible until that last moment, John Milius, Body Heat, being totally dead, used car salesman, advancing the cause of the filmmaker, getting Prince to play at your wedding, the voice of the executive producer, it's really like Camelot for them, Mishima, we still care what Lucas thinks of the new movies now, I'm not a clown puppet guy, Lucas is always at his best when he's berating Coppola, the fans are still... even at that time... more then willing to meet him more then halfway, Crystal Skull, that is Lucas' guts on the screen, senate staffers were like 'oh my God there's a new Star Wars film..., Twice Upon a Time, both the blessing and the curse of Star Wars, for Lucas in particular... is we all feel like we own it, running a comic book store, filming hanging out of a harness on the car, deep drill research projects, Irvin Kershner, the best years of SNL, that really pissed him off... really hurt his feelings, using Star Wars a leverage, and then he still has to go back and keep meddling and meddling and meddling..., the physical part of directing really took it's toll on him, Lapti Nek, Temple of Doom, talking with Frank Oz, let's examine all those clauses, Richard Marquand, Poltergeist, who knew how important Young Indiana Jones and... Radioland Murders were... to the Star Wars trilogy, mostly dead, the sleazy art of the deal, working with Henson, Sandman and bringing down the dream of Zoetrope. "...that's the moment that Skywalker Ranch is sort of born in his head." For more on Brian and all of his books, go to: https://brianjayjones.com/